Julien Laurens, Correspondent
Karim Benzema will end the season at Al Ittihad regardless of the 2022 Ballon d'Or winner wanting to go away Saudi Arabia this month, sources have confirmed to ESPN.
As ESPN reported earlier in January, Benzema had been exploring his choices within the switch window after an underwhelming first six months in Jeddah.
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The previous France worldwide knew it was unlikely Al Ittihad would let him go away the membership however thought-about returning to Europe a chance.
Chelsea and his hometown membership Lyon each inquired about his availability, sources informed ESPN.
Nevertheless, Al Ittihad refused to permit Benzema to go away the Gulf nation, as a substitute making an attempt to mortgage him to a different membership within the Saudi Professional League, however the former Actual Madrid striker declined.
Benzema, 36, signed a three-year cope with Al Ittihad in the summertime as a free agent however has been upset by how his first half-season with the staff has panned out.
Al Ittihad are seventh within the Saudi Professional League, 25 factors behind leaders Al Hilal. Benzema has been criticised by the Saudi media regardless of scoring 15 objectives in 24 video games in all competitions thus far this season.
Benzema is again with the squad getting ready for the King's Cup quarterfinals in opposition to Al Faysali on Sunday, having been stranded in Mauritius after a storm hit the island and lacking 15 days of coaching.
Supply hyperlink - espnfc.com